The rain here has been spectacular. We've had more than 7 inches of rain since April 1; usually that's closer to 2 inches. The fungus is out, but it's been so chilly still that I haven't seen amphibians or anything like that. The vernal pools are awash and I hope the little nymphs are deep under the leaves.

This was at Moore State Park, and I have to say it is a top-drawer fungus. A fungus of distinction!

YEAR ZERO Nine Inch Nails Forty-one-year-old Trent Reznor could now bench-press the scrawny punk who sang 'Head Like a Hole' in 1989. But on 'Year Zero,' the Nine Inch Nails' mastermind rekindles some of his youthful spark. Hindered by a downward spiral

Scott McCloudProbably the best-known thinker about comic strips/books/graphic novels/sequential art working right now. Controversial among comic fans but unequivocally an influential and original thinker.